Ngarla people win 11,000sqkm Pilbara land claim

The Ngarla people of the East Pilbara have been handed down 11,331 square kilometres of land and water in the second native title claim to be decided in the region.

The claim, which covers land in the Shire of East Pilbara and Town of Port Hedland, gives the people rights to camp, hunt and fish as well as the right to be consulted about mining and pastoral developments.

The determination today recognised non-exclusive possession native title rights over the De Grey, Pippingarra and Pardoo pastoral leases, 29 reserves and five miscellaneous leases.

The managing director of West Perth-based iron ore explorer Atlas Iron Ltd, David Flanagan, said he would give the Ngarla people consideration for work and contracts where pricing was competitive and quality requirements were assured.

Atlas owns and operates the Pardoo iron ore project which is covered by the claim.

"What we're doing is providing an incentive in this agreement for key individuals, leaders and the Ngarla people generally to form alliances with mining contracting companies and get their people into the mining environment and get them jobs," he said.

Mr Flanagan said all Atlas employees would be given the opportunity to take part in cross cultural programs to understand the traditional land owners better.

The full text of a company announcement is pasted below

Native title has been recognised over another 11,000 square kilometres of east Pilbara land, further confirming the success of the State Government's native title policy.

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper today welcomed the Ngarla native title determination, the 11th since the Labor Government introduced its policy of negotiation over litigation for the resolution of native title matters.

"There can be no doubt about the success of this approach," Mr Ripper said.

"The Ngarla consent determination is the fourth to be finalised this financial year and I am pleased to announce there are another eight claims that are in various stages of negotiation.

"Before 2001, only three native title claims had been resolved in Western Australia."

The Deputy Premier attended the Ngarla on-country determination near De Grey station today and congratulated the parties for reaching agreement in a difficult negotiation.

"So many new issues were raised during these negotiations reminding us that native title is still evolving and there is still much uncharted territory.

"Nevertheless, it is a tribute to the pastoralists, the mining and fishing industries and the indigenous groups involved that they could set aside their differences and reach an agreement," he said.

The Ngarla claim covers 11,331 square kilometres of land in the Shire of East Pilbara, and the Town of Port Hedland.

Mr Ripper said today's determination recognised non-exclusive possession native title rights over the De Grey, Pippingarra and Pardoo pastoral leases, 29 reserves and five miscellaneous leases.